I was wondering if anybody had firm, recent statistics on the access speeds through which the majority of users access the Internet...

The reason I ask is that I was talking to a designer the other day and we got around to discussing download times and I, in my ignorance, hadn't realised that the so-called industry standard which designers work to is a 10/14 second wait over a 56k modem...

Now, I don't know about you, but I reckon there are very few things in life that justify that kind of wait and the 'everybody-else-is-doing-it-this-way' excuse just won't wash. For certain sites whose raison-d'etre is high bandwidth-type content (eg movie trailers, online entertainment, high-end brochureware etc), it's fine - but if I want to buy a book, or some toilet paper, it's just rude to make me wait so long on a phone line I have to pay for.

The problem with having 'arguments' (or should that be constructive discussions?) with designers/clients about these topics is that they tend to exploit our industry's (perceived?) uncertainty as to users' connections speeds and the need for 'branding'.

Now, the branding arguement is (or at least should be)fairly safe ground for us to stake a claim upon, as negative experiences using a site reflect upon a brand, and designers should (in my mind) be able to 'design around' the restrictions imposed by a medium in order to maintain/promote a brand (as opposed to pretending the whole world is a printed page).

I found a useful resource at websitegarage.com that estimates the download times of pages for given connection speeds based on page size, number of images etc (although I can't vouch for the accuracy of its estimates), but it would still be very useful if anybody knew of any firm, recent source of data which one could cite as to mainstream users' connection-speeds...

Or can one now even assume that a large enough percentage of users will have access to an 'office-connection' for the 'home-access' issue to have become redundant?

What this industry/profession needs is a respectable, reliable source of free data on issues such this. Design guidelines are all well and good, but more fundamental concerns appear to be overlooked - does any one have any suggestions as to sources? (short of my paying a fortune for the information!)

sk - glad to have been of help...remember me in your will!

:)

best,
t